Levi Stubbs

 Today we honor the legendary Levi Stubbs (June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008), the powerful baritone and lead vocalist of the iconic Motown group, The Four Tops.

Renowned for his emotional and dramatic singing style, Stubbs brought urgency and soul to hits like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”, “Reach Out I’ll Be There”, “Baby I Need Your Loving”, “It’s the Same Old Song”, and “Bernadette”. Though naturally a baritone, many of the group’s songs were written in a tenor range to amplify the intensity of his voice—a signature that influenced generations of artists, including Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates.

The Four Tops began as a Detroit supper-club act before signing with Motown Records in 1963. They went on to achieve more than a dozen hits in the 1960s and 1970s and sold over 50 million records worldwide. Stubbs performed with the group until his final appearance at their 50th Anniversary Concert in 2004. The Four Tops were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

Levi Stubbs passed away in his sleep on October 17, 2008, at his home in Detroit. He is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music and unmatched vocal power.